Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)

The filtrate formed in Bowman's space flows towards the urinary pole to enter the proximal tubule. The proximal tubule consists of an initial convoluted portion (the proximal convoluted tubule) and a distal straight portion (the pars recta). In cross section, the tubular epithelial cells are simple cuboidal cells, with a prominent brush border (microvilli) and basal striations (elongated mitochondria) (R-P, Figs. 20.10, 20.14, 20.15 & Pl. 72). The PCTs often have star-shaped lumens, which are generally larger in diameter than the distal tubules (see below). Cells of the PCT are generally more eosinophilic than cells of other tubules in the kidney, and stain particularly well with PAS (B-66, PAS [10x, 20x, 40x; B-67, H&E [10x, 20x, 40x-labeled]; B-68, PAS [10x, 20x, 40x-labeled]; B-71, H&E [10x, 20x, 40x-labeled]). Try to identify PCTs. Also, examine regions near glomeruli in order to identify urinary poles in longitudinal section that are continuous with a PCT.

TheKidney

• RenalCorpuscle
• Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT)
• ThinTubules
• DistalConvolutedTubule (DCT)
• JuxtaglomerularApparatus
• CollectingTubules

TheUreter

UrinaryBladder

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ProximalConvolutedTubuleImages

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-- AshleyLPistorio - 18 May 2007